Classic Deep South

May - November

Holiday Length

13 nights

Price guide

From £2,720pp

The price shown is a guide - based on two people sharing and generally includes economy flights. Your holiday will be tailor-made to suit you and there are many factors that can influence the price, such as standard of accommodation, class of flight and time of year. Ask your travel specialist for more information.

Holiday type

Tailor-made

Highlights

Classic Deep South

Gain an insight into the history of the Civil Rights Movement on this classic Deep South self drive. In Atlanta you’ll visit the birthplace of Martin Luther King, Jr. Then you’ll head to the Great Smoky Mountains and visit Dolly Parton’s theme park, Dollywood. Check out the heritage of country music in Nashville, with stops at the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame. In Memphis, explore Graceland and take in some blues on Beale Street. You can also choose to add a visit to RCA Studio B or a private guided tour of Elvis Presley's old stomping ground. Your holiday ends in New Orleans, on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River.

UK - Atlanta

Pick up your hire car on arrival and check into Loews Atlanta, your base for the next two nights. This southern city is a thriving metropolis, with world-class attractions like the new National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the art deco Fox Theatre and the World of Coca-Cola. Explore Atlanta's tumultuous history in the Sweet Auburn district, birthplace of Martin Luther King, Jr. Or take a trip to Underground Atlanta, in the Five Points neighbourhood of Downtown.

Great Smoky Mountains

With bluegrass playing on your radio, head north to Chattanooga for a pit stop at the Tennessee Aquarium. Continue on to Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, all tucked away in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. Stay at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa. While here, you can go walking, cycling or horse riding in the Smokies, America’s most visited national park. You can also visit Dolly Parton’s theme park, Dollywood, or the university town of Knoxville.

Nashville

This morning head west to the country music capital of Nashville and check into the funky Loews Vanderbilt. Music City’s highlights include the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium, otherwise known as the Mother Church of Country Music. Across the Cumberland River is hip East Nashville, an eclectic neighbourhood full of indie boutiques and coffee shops. In the evening, head down Lower Broadway and hit one of the classic honky tonks like Tootsie’s.

Memphis

Memphis is where the roots of blues, country and gospel formed in the 1930s. Visit The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum and stroll through the seven galleries at your own pace. No visit to Memphis is complete without a tour of Graceland. Other highlights include Sun Studio, where Elvis recorded his early hits, and the blues clubs and dive bars of Beale Street. Enjoy the heritage and style of the famous Peabody Memphis, your home for the next two nights.

Natchez

Today you’ll hit the back roads of Tennessee on a drive down the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway. Cross the state line into Mississippi and stop at the town of Tupelo. Here you can see the two-room shack where Elvis was born and visit the Elvis Presley Museum. Continue via Jackson, a treasure trove of African-American history, before resting up in Natchez at the Monmouth Historic Inn. This vibrant city sits on the Mississippi River and is filled with antebellum mansions.

New Orleans

Your last stop needs no introduction: New Orleans. The Hotel Monteleone is your home for the next two nights; check out the revolving Carousel bar. Whilst there, hit the road and learn about plantation life at New Iberia before visiting the famous Tabasco Sauce factory on Avery Island. Back in the city, the French Quarter thrums with bars and jazz clubs, while Lafayette Cemetery is a popular filming location. Why not include a Cruise the Mississippi on an authentic 19th-century paddle steamer to conclude your time in the Deep South.

New Orleans - UK

It’s time to say goodbye to the city of New Orleans as your Deep South tour comes to an end. Today you’ll head to New Orleans airport for your return flight to the UK via Atlanta.

North America team

Whether it's an epic road trip, a relaxing escape or a whale-watching expedition, our North America team know how to plan the ultimate holiday